Reasonably priced turntable

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jacon12

Member
I know.. I know... those two things,... reasonable prices and turntables don't go together. What's that called, an oxymoron or something like that? Anyway, anyone know of a 130' turntable that won't break the bank buying it? A manual one that is turned by hand would be fine with me.
Jarrell
 

RexHea

RAIL BENDER
Jarrell, a turntable that size is not going to be cheap...even manual. I built the 120' CMR kit at $158 plus cost of a motor. The 135' is the same price. If you get interested in this one, let me know and I can save you $40 on the motor they recommend. Also, I control mine with a cheapo mobile decoder. You can slow is down to a snail's pace making the track alignment easy and you just dial it up on any trottle for use. http://www.custommodelrailroads.com/turntable.html

Fergie has posted the turntable he hand made somewhere on this forum. That is another idea for you.
EDIT: I found the post at http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2638
 
Last edited by a moderator:

SpaceMouse

Fun Lover
Jarrell. I've just about decided to scratch-build mine. Now before you start thinking about how hard that might be consider this: The guys here have figured out all the hard parts. All you need to do is learn to cut a circle and find the center. Everything else is following the numbers.
 

jacon12

Member
Thanks fellas. I'm still a good ways off from installing one so I've got time to weigh all the options and you guys just gave me some more..
Jarrell
 

NZRMac

In Training Down Under.
hminky said:
Try the 14" Heljan it can be had for under $30.00

Harold


I've got a 98' Heljan, the main problem is the centre bearing. I had a total rebuild with a capstan drive from a video player. Haven't worked out the drive yet but at least it turns smoothly.:D

Ken.
 

jacon12

Member
I measured my longest locomotive today and it and it's tender work out to about 123 scale feet. 'Course I could just not put it in the engine house but I wouldn't ever feel right about that. ... :)
Jarrell
 

RexHea

RAIL BENDER
Jarrell, my Challenger and Class A wheels will just fit on my 120 foot TT bridge. I believe they are about 18.75 inches overall. Remember, if there is a slight overhang it is not a problem as long as the wheels are still on the track. I just move my loco forward or back if the 'cow catcher' is going to hit something.
 

jacon12

Member
RexHea said:
Jarrell, my Challenger and Class A wheels will just fit on my 120 foot TT bridge. I believe they are about 18.75 inches overall. Remember, if there is a slight overhang it is not a problem as long as the wheels are still on the track. I just move my loco forward or back if the 'cow catcher' is going to hit something.
Ok, thanks Rex!
Jarrell
 




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